Boffins

Fizzy Logic For A Perfect Drink: Courtesy Boffins

London: Champagne drinkers world over have one more reason to raise a toast- a formula for that perfect frothy glass. Here’s the news on how you // can pep-up your spirits and relish the fizz.Dr Steve Smith, Principal Lecturer in Wine Studies at Coventry University, and author of the formula for Marks & Spencer, says it is worthwhile to recall the laws while popping open a champagne bottle....

Boffins Identify Fifth Gene Behind Joubert Syndrome

An international team of researchers has identified a new genetic cause for Joubert syndrome (JS), an inherited condition that affects development of the cerebellum and brainstem-the structures in the brain that coordinate movements and regulate basic functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate and consciousness. This is the fifth gene that has been found to have associatio...

Boffins Find Link Between Common Sleep Disorder and Hypertension

A new study by an international team of researchers has found evidence that people suffering from moderate to severe cases of a common sleep disorder called restless legs syndrome (RLS) are at significantly increased risk for developing hypertension. RLS is a common and debilitating sleep disorder that adversely affects the lives of tens of millions of people worldwide. It produces...

Boffins Identify Molecule That Might Treat Food Allergy

Boffins have identified a key molecule Interleukin-12 (IL-12),that may provide resistance against food allergy. During a food allergy the immune system responds to a food protein as if it was harmful. The immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which normally help the body fight parasites. In the most severe cases individuals can suffer life-threatening reactions,...

Boffins a Step Closer to Solving Puzzle of Lou Gehrig's Disease

Moving closer to solving Lou Gehrig's disease mystery, UCLA, Italian chemists may have solved an important mystery about a protein that plays a key role in a particular form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive, fatal neuro-degenerative disorder that strikes without warning. Joan Selverstone Valentine, UCLA professor of chemistry...

Boffins Identify Gene That Helps Regulates Body Weight

Boffins have found that the absence of CD38 gene prevented mice on high-fat diets from gaining weight. The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Eduardo Chini at Mayo Clinic. As part of the study, researchers studied two groups of mice - one with the gene CD38 and the other without. Each group was fed a high-calorie diet with 60 percent of calories from...

Boffins Link Atkins Diet With Bowel Cancer

According to a new research, Atkins diet-low carbohydrate diet can increase the risks of bowel cancer. The research has discovered a decline in the production of a fatty acid in the gut , due to the consumption of carbohydrates. The fatty acid butyrate, which protects against colorectal cancer, is produced by bacteria and helps in fighting cancerous cells. Researchers from the Rowet...

Boffins Develop New Technique to Hunt Illness-causing Mutants in Non-gene DNA

University of Utah geneticists say that they have developed a faster, less expensive technique to hunt illness-causing mutants in large, non-gene stretches of DNA. The development of the new technique is important because diseases can result not only from mutant genes, but also from mutations of other DNA that controls genes. "Diseases are known to occur as a consequence of deletin...

Boffins Find Evidence for Novel Brain Cell Communication

Scientists have found a strong evidence for a novel type of communication between nerve cells in the brain . The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may have significance for the prevention and treatment of epilepsy, and perhaps in the exploration of other aspects of brain functions, from creative thought processes to mental illnesses such...

Indian Boffins to Fight Wrinkles With Camels' Milk

Indian scientists are hoping to turn camels' milk into a skin-care product that would wipe away wrinkles and lighten the complexion, a report said Monday . The government's team of camel researchers, which has already pioneered such products as camel milk ice cream, said it has found cosmetic properties in the hardy mammal's milk. "The cream developed from camel milk h...

Boffins Identify Gene That can Protect Humans from Nephronopthisis

Researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the University of Michigan have identified a gene that can protect humans from nephronopthisis (NPHP), a serious kidney disease . NPHP is a disease that causes kidney degeneration during childhood and kidney failure requiring organ transplantation. The insights might help design effectual and non-invasive therapi...